Due for an upgrade or just looking for a shiny new phone? You’ve come to the right place. Welcome to our new monthly column where Gearburn staff select the best South African smartphone contract deals available from the country’s cellular networks.
This edition sees a strong showing from Huawei and LG devices, with Samsung, Microsoft and Apple also included as well.
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So with that said, here are the best South African smartphone contract deals that we could find from November 2015, from the likes of Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C.
Huawei G7
Contract: Vodacom uChoose Flexi 150
What’s included: R150 airtime, per second billing
Total cost: R269 per month for 24 months
Phone review: Huawei G7 review: so much phone, so few faults
Few phones impressed us more than the Huawei G7 this year, and the LTE version adds some swift mobile connectivity to an already solid package. Featuring a solid Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset, 2GB of RAM and a 13MP rear camera, the G7 is a great all round performer. Mate that with a 5.5-inch 1080p screen and a large 3000mAh, it’s definitely a fine device.
LG G3
Contract: MTN MyMTN Choice 25
What’s included: 25 anytime minutes, 50 SMSs, 100MB, LG Black Quick Circle Cover Case worth R299
Total cost: R199 per month for 24 months
Phone review: LG G3 review: third time’s the charm
MTN doesn’t state whether those 50 SMSs and 100MB are included monthly, so we’ll just have to go ahead and guess. But, for the most part, the LG G3 is still a stellar phone. It pioneered the laser autofocusing system used on the LG G4 camera today, and with that said, it still has one of the better mobile phone cameras around today. Pair that with a great screen, a quad-core Snapdragon SoC and a removable battery and there’s really nothing wrong with purchasing a device a generation down.
Samsung Galaxy S6 32GB
Contract: MTN Minute 100
What’s included: 100 anytime minutes, 200 SMSs, 500MB
Total cost: R339 per month for 36 months
Phone review: Samsung Galaxy S6 review: rightful leader of the Android army?
We generally advise against longer contracts, but the Samsung Galaxy S6 should be relevant for more than three years. It’s a beast of a device, with an excellent camera, extremely quick chipset and possibly the best screen in the smartphone business. At R339, it’s a little bit more expensive than most devices, but when it debuted, contracts we’re well into the R600 mark. Just note, if you’re not interested in being locked into a contact for more than two years, avoid this one.
Huawei P8
Contract: Vodacom uChoose Flexi 200
What’s included: R200 airtime, TopDog Voucher, per second billing
Total cost: R399 per month for 24 months
Phone review: Huawei P8 review: metallic mastery
Another Huawei device, the Huawei P8 is arguably the company’s best and a great example of what a flagship phone ought to be. It’s all metal, but remains light and sturdy with clear cut metal lines and a definitive premium air. It’s quick, boasts a great camera and an all day battery. A dual SIM setup and stellar camera rounds up the package. You’re arguably better off buying this thing cash at just under R7000, but at an effective R199 per month, this contract’s a steal.
Microsoft Lumia 640 XL
Contract: Cell C EPIC 150
What’s included: R150 airtime
Total cost: R259 per month for 24 months
Arguably the best deal of the lot, the Microsoft Lumia 640 XL features two SIM cards and a 5.7-inch screen with a 1280×720 screen. Beyond that, it’s also upgradeable to Windows 10, featuring a 13MP rear camera and support for up to 128GB microSD cards. Available in Microsoft Lumia’s usual bevy of lumo colours, it’s also the last real mid-range flagship from Microsoft before the new 5-series devices arrive.
If this doesn’t quite seem like a good deal, there’s also a Microsoft Lumia 535 available at R169 per month on the same contract.
iPhone 6 128GB
Contract: Cell C EPIC 200
What’s included: R200 airtime
Total cost: R579 per month for 24 months
So the world’s infatuated with the iPhone 6S sure, but that doesn’t mean the iPhone 6 shouldn’t get a consideration. If anything, it’s still one of the best phones ever made, with an 8MP camera, a vivid LED screen and the ever quick Apple A8 processor. At just under R600 a month, you probably could go with an iPhone 6S for less storage, but seriously, is it really worth it?
LG G4 Stylus
Contract: Telkom SmartPlan 50
What’s included: 50 minutes, 500MB data, unlimited Telkom to Telkom calls for first 12 months
Total cost: R199 per month for 24 months
Read more: LG G4 Stylus hands-on preview: yep, yet another G4 variant
The LG G4 Stylus is the latest LG arrival to South African shores and brings with it a large screen, a stylus and an air of premium to a mid-range device. It’s not the fastest phone around, but it does seem one of the most practical Androids around, able to run a fair number of programs in the background. It’s also perfect for multitaskers or avid note-takers.
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Contract: Telkom SmartPlan 50
What’s included: 50 minutes, 500MB data, unlimited Telkom to Telkom calls for first 12 months
Total cost: R389 per month for 24 months
Image: Maurizio Pesce via Flickr
Perhaps overshadowed by the newer Samsung Galaxy Note 5, the Note 4 is still one of Samsung’s greatest phones. Featuring a dense 2560×1440 screen, a stylus and a 16MP rear camera, the Note 4 is the ultimate premium city runabout device. When it debuted early last year, contract prices were closer to the current iPhone 6S levels. Now, it has become much more affordable without really sacrificing on speed or versatility.
Have you gained word of any other great contract deals available this month? Let us know in the comments section below.
